October 2021

Middleton boys soccer coach Kevin Pauls likes to challenge his team with a demanding schedule.

While it can lead to short-term pain at times, Pauls and the Cardinals believe long-term gains often follow.

That’s certainly what Middleton is hoping for after an arduous week saw it go 2-2-1.

The Cardinals lost a Big Eight Conference game to Verona, 7-1, on Sept. 28. Middleton rebounded with a 6-2 win over Janesville Craig on Sept. 30, then the Cardinals went 1-1-1 at the Burlington (Iowa) Invite last Friday and Saturday.

Here’s a recap of the Cardinals’ week:

• Verona 7, Middleton 1 — The visiting Wildcats scored three goals in the first half and took a 3-0 lead at the break. After Middleton scored to open the second half, Verona ran off four straight goals.

“Verona was the better team,” Pauls said. “I don't think they were truly 7-1 better than us, but better. We made more mistakes on the night and they were able to capitalize on them.”

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–Homeowners in the Town of Middleton were asleep when someone broke into their home stealing a car and other items.

At 3:17 am, Dane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 7600 block of Westman Way Road for a home burglary.

The suspects were able to gain access to the garage with a garage door opener from an unlocked vehicle outside the home. Once inside the garage, they entered the home and took the keys to another vehicle. The suspects got away with a vehicle from the garage, along with the homeowner’s purse and credit cards. The residents were asleep in their beds at the time.

Anyone who may have witnessed this activity or has information is asked to call the Dane County tip line at 608-284-6900. 

The Sheriff’s Office wants to remind citizens that this activity has become all too common and securing vehicles and all doors is essential. Removing valuables and garage door openers from vehicles at is also recommend.

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–The communities Middleton and Madison are mourning the loss of two Middleton High School seniors and a West Madison High School senior who were killed in the Town of Middleton Saturday night when their vehicle was hit by another vehicle, then burst into flames.

John “Jack” Miller, Evan Kratochwill and Simon Bilessi, who formerly attended Middleton High School, were traveling westbound on Mineral Point Road near Swoboda Road, when their vehicle was rear ended by a 30-year-old man. Authorities have released no further details about the man, who they say is facing pending charges. The vehicle the young men were in came to rest in a field on Mineral Point Road where residents began leaving flowers soccer balls, notes and stuffed animals in their memory.

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–Three people were killed in the Town of Middleton Saturday night when their vehicle was hit by another vehicle, then burst into flames.

At 10:15 p.m., Dane County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Middleton Fire and EMS, and Madison Fire were dispatched to an injury crash on West Mineral Point Road and Karls Court in the Town of Middleton. 

Their preliminary investigation indicated a vehicle driving eastbound on West Mineral Point Road struck another vehicle in the rear end, sending the struck vehicle into a farm field south of Mineral Point Road.  The vehicle in the farm field became fully engulfed with fire.